STEM: Shaping the future one project at a time

STEM. Science. Technology. Engineering. Math. Four concepts that form the foundation for a curriculum that is sweeping across high school classrooms and college campuses. According to the Pew Research Center, jobs in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) occupations have grown 79% since 1990, far outpacing overall U.S. job growth.

At Trinity, we see STEM as an opportunity to prepare our students for careers that haven’t even been created yet. Through demanding critical thinking and problem solving, through encouraging collaboration and innovation, we are preparing our students for the next steps in their education and careers.

Trinity’s STEM Curriculum

Within the walls of Trinity, freshman students begin learning STEM methodology as all courses emphasize project-based learning and critical thinking analysis. In addition, CAD, or Computer Aided Design, is now a freshman elective where first-year Rocks can design and build models for printing and manufacturing in the lab. This will prepare students to take future electives such as:

• Engineering and Design I and II

• Computer Aided Design (CAD)

• Electrical Engineering

• Graphic Design I and II

• Digital Marketing and Design

• Mobile Robotics

• Aerospace Science

• Video Production I and II

• Environmental Science

• Biology II Animal Behaviors

• Biological and Physical Forensic Science

• AP Computer Science Principles

With Trinity’s Block Schedule, students are able to take additional math and science classes that are, ultimately, fifth and sixth year courses which prepare them for upper level collegiate courses that they may want to take at the next level.

Trinity students interested in STEM may also get involved with extracurriculars that we offer including the basic STEM Club, Robotics Club, Tim’s Flying Club and the ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) Mentoring Club.

• Click here to learn more about STEM clubs and activities.

For more information about Trinity’s STEM curriculum, elective classes, extracurricular opportunities and summer camps, contact Steve Hammer at hammer@trinityrocks.com or Patrick Heintz at heintz@trinityrocks.com.

 STEM-related careers in the US: 10,365 (2022) 11,487 (2032 projected) US Bureau of Labor Statistics

STEM-related jobs: 93/100 STEM careers had wages above the national average, median annual wage for all occupations is $46,310 while STEM careers are $97,980 US Bureau of Labor Statistics

New classes made possible with our STEM Career Center:

• Advanced Computer Aided Design

• Engineering and Design III

• Electrical Engineering II

Transferrable skills for college-level engineering study and direct high school-to-work career paths: 

• Reverse Engineering, a problem solving mindset

• Understanding the differences, pros, and cons for different forms of manufacturing (3D additive and subtractive manufacturing, and various 2D cutting i.e., laser/water jet)

• Application of skills learned to meet desired goal

• Collaboration, communication skills and strategic planning necessary for engineering fields – the ability to share documents, produce components for a greater project, and work within multidisciplinary teams

• Understanding workflows and planning that are essential to engineering and manufacturing success

A sample of recent college admission offers received by our graduates from school’s with a STEM focus:

• J.B. Speed School of Engineering (University of Louisville)

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Rochester Institute of Technology

• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

• Purdue University

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

STEM-related direct high school-to-work occupations our courses can lead to:

• Electrical-Electronics fields

• Fluid Power Systems

• Mechanical Processes

• Instrumentation and Process Control Systems

• HVAC-Refrigeration Systems

• Manufacturing Materials and Processes

• Automation and Robotics Systems

• Computer Network Architect

• Information Security Analyst

• Web Developer

• CAD technician

For more information about the STEM Career Center, visit Open House on Sunday, Nov. 10 from 1 - 5 p.m., or click here.

One of many international travel opportunities for Trinity students, this trip to Costa Rica allows students the chance to literally bring the world of STEM to life with hands-on, applicable lessons in an entirely unique environment. The Seeds of Change Tropical Rainforest Program allows students to experience field-based, methodologies under the direction of University of Costa Rica professors. Students conduct and present STEM-based projects in brand new, state-of-the-art facilities while learning from world-renowned experts who guide and mentor throughout the expedition and research project.

 The Research Experience features two parts

• Seeds of Change Costa Rica Science Research Experience Year 1: First-year students will be planning and conducting research projects in Costa Rica. They will be using experimental design, trial and error, statistics, collaboration with professors and team members to run their experiments.

• Bioinformatics Costa Rica 2nd Year Trip: A second-year program that builds upon the previous year’s knowledge. Our returning students focus on bioinformatics, the study of macromolecules and genomes while using applied math, computer science, and statistics to understand and organize information associated with proteins and genes on a large scale. Students complete 5 Skype sessions with professors from University of Chicago, University of Costa Rica and University of Wisconsin to learn how to identify and analyze genetic information found in metagenomes.

Visit our website for more information about studying in Costa Rica or contact Mr. Patrick Heintz at heintz@trinityrocks.com.